Spring Break
Downey Jr. and Foxx shine in 'The Soloist'
Meghan Bogardus
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Entertainment
Nothing quite says "down on his luck" like Robert Downey Jr. hitting the pavement face-first in a bike accident. This is how "The Soloist" begins, and it's followed by surprising humor in the rest of the film.
Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist at the Los Angeles Times who is desperate for a story. He even tries writing a story about blood despite his fear of needles, which leads to a hilarious incident involving a urine sample and using coyote pee to prevent raccoons from digging up his grass.
But when Steve follows the sound of violin music in downtown Los Angeles, he stumbles upon the ultimate story in the form of Nathaniel Ayers, played brilliantly by Jamie Foxx.
Foxx is almost unrecognizable as the homeless musician who plays beautifully with only two strings. From his unkempt hair and mismatched outfits, to his incoherent and constant babbling, Foxx is the source of much of the movie's humor; yet, he is also the basis of the movie's heart. A viewer can't help but be drawn in by him - the same way Lopez is. Nathaniel's story is a great tragedy, but it is also full of hope.
He began as a child prodigy in Cleveland, playing the cello only because so many children in his small school wanted to play the piano. But, he excels and is instantly recognized as a great talent.
Justin Martin plays the young Nathaniel and portrays the precocious boy with ease. It is easy to see a little bit of Foxx's rambling in Martin's enthusiastic words, making it truly seem as though they are portraying the same person.
| Real quick: The Soloist Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener Directed by Joe Wright Distributed by Dream Works Rated PG-13 Runtime 109 mins. Stater rating (out of five): ★★★★☆ |
Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist at the Los Angeles Times who is desperate for a story. He even tries writing a story about blood despite his fear of needles, which leads to a hilarious incident involving a urine sample and using coyote pee to prevent raccoons from digging up his grass.
But when Steve follows the sound of violin music in downtown Los Angeles, he stumbles upon the ultimate story in the form of Nathaniel Ayers, played brilliantly by Jamie Foxx.
Foxx is almost unrecognizable as the homeless musician who plays beautifully with only two strings. From his unkempt hair and mismatched outfits, to his incoherent and constant babbling, Foxx is the source of much of the movie's humor; yet, he is also the basis of the movie's heart. A viewer can't help but be drawn in by him - the same way Lopez is. Nathaniel's story is a great tragedy, but it is also full of hope.
He began as a child prodigy in Cleveland, playing the cello only because so many children in his small school wanted to play the piano. But, he excels and is instantly recognized as a great talent.
Justin Martin plays the young Nathaniel and portrays the precocious boy with ease. It is easy to see a little bit of Foxx's rambling in Martin's enthusiastic words, making it truly seem as though they are portraying the same person.
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